How To Prepare Your Interview
Finding a role these days is quite difficult these days. This is due to the economic struggles, competition and the right work balance. Here at Coding Aspirations, we provide roles to you so that don't have to look at roles unaided. We want to provide suitable roles so you can move your career on. The great news is that there is 750,000 job in the UK and in the software and mobile market this is growing every year. So it's not doom and gloom. The first thing you need is a updated CV to present to a client.
Craft Your CV (Curriculum Vitae)
Your CV is the gateway for you to sell yourself. It's the first impression that a client will assess you. So the CV needs to be informative, structured, communicative and relevant. With a CV its should be a relatively short CV, about 3 pages, maximum 4 pages. Always add the important elements: Full Name, Postal Address, D.O.B, Contact Number, E-mail, Nationality, Driving License.
Have a good font to type with. I use Calibri or Arial. Both look ok. Use Bold font on job titles, it breaks up the CV structure well.
Your previous jobs need to have a clear job title and description of the work you performed. Have the dates of the work you performed in each position.
On each role and description try to be concise and relevant to the work you done.
Add 2-3 work references - company, contact, title, dates of work.
Cover Letter
After your CV, you need to write a cover letter. This should be a letter that explains why your look for a role, why are you applying for the role, provide some passion for the role and application a brief snapshot of your experience, and try to be a little personable. Again add your name, address, date of letter and provide a kind regards gesture at the bottom of the letter.
How To Approach an Interview
With an interview, the client will respond with a place, date and time. Some interviews are via video conferencing, or onsite. Both interviews are obviously quite different. With a face to face interaction, you need to be smart ad presentable. I would wear a clean pair of shoes, nice uncreased shirt and jacket, and trousers to match. Some clients work in a casual approach so ask it's formal or informal to get an idea to present yourself. Try to be professional and communicative. Try to be confident, not to talk too much or waffle in your answers. Deliver short direct answers from the interviewer.
Working References
As mentioned earlier, your working references need to be up to date, make sure your previous contact from your jobs is also available, provide their current work situation: Name, Company, Job Title, when you worked with her/him, dates on the references. Clients want to see how you performed, your conduct, how you can be of value.
Conduct a 2nd Interview (If Required)
In most cases, their can be a 2nd interview. With this (if face to face), try be the same as the first. The 2nd interview can be a little more intense because the client is assessing you in more depth. For example, you might request to do some coding for a task. That can at home generally or sometimes in an office. Always try to add value to the role, how you can make that difference, besides with interviews your literally selling your case.